LADA stands for Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood. LADA is a form of type 1 diabetes that develops later into adulthood.
LADA tends to develop more slowly than type 1 diabetes in childhood and, because LADA can sometimes appear similar to type 2 diabetes, doctors may mistakenly diagnose LADA as type 2 diabetes.
The definition provided by Prof. David Leslie, Principle Investigator of Action LADA, is that in Europe:
LADA is defined as initially non-insulin requiring diabetes diagnosed in people aged 30-50 years with antibodies to GAD - glutamic acid decarboxylase.
How does LADA compare with other diabetes types?
LADA is sometimes referred to as type 1.5 diabetes. This is not an official term but it does illustrate the fact that LADA is a form of type 1 diabetes that shares some characteristics with type 2 diabetes.
As a form of type 1 diabetes, LADA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and kills off insulin producing cells.
The reasons why LADA can often be mistaken for type 2 diabetes is it develops over a longer period of time than type 1 diabetes in children or younger adults.
Whereas type 1 diabetes in children tends to develop quickly, sometimes within the space of days, LADA develops more slowly, sometimes over a period of years.
The slower onset of diabetes symptoms being presented in people over 35 years may lead a GP to initially diagnose a case of LADA as type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of LADA
The first symptoms of LADA include:
- Feeling tired all the time or regularly tired after meals
- Foggy headedness
- Experiencing hunger soon after meals
As LADA develops, a person’s ability to produce insulin will gradually decrease and this may lead to symptoms such as:
It is important to catch the symptoms at the earliest stage because diagnosis of LADA at a later stage increases the risk of developing diabetes complications.
Having tingling nerves can be a sign of neuropathy (nerve disease) so if this symptom is appearing regularly, especially if in addition to other symptoms listed above, it is advisable to see a doctor.
How common is LADA?
According to the UK Prospective Diabetes Study found that antibodies specific to LADA cases are found in between 6% and 10% of diabetes cases. Amongst people diagnosed with diabetes at an age younger than 35 years old, LADA may account for up to 25% of cases.
How is LADA diagnosed?
Often LADA will be initially diagnosed as diabetes by way of the usual diagnosis procedures.
Following a diagnosis of diabetes, your doctor or you may have reason to suspect that the type of diabetes present is LADA.
Determining the presence of LADA is achieved by examining the presence of elevated levels of pancreatic autoantibodies amongst patients who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes but do not require insulin.
A GAD Antibody test can measure the presence of these autoantibodies.
These antibodies can identify LADA, and also can predict the rate of progression towards insulin dependency.
Another test that can be performed is a C-peptide test. However, C-peptide tests may not always draw conclusive results in people with LADA at an earlier stage of the condition’s development.
LADA is a specific type of diabetes that affects adults. It shares some similarities of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and may often be diagnosed as one of these instead of as LADA.
LADA stands for Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults. Latent means it comes on slowly - in this way it’s similar to type 2 diabetes. Autoimmune is where the body attacks its own insulin producing cells; similar to type 1 diabetes
LADA has the classic symptoms of diabetes. These are increased thirst, increased need to urinate, fatigue, dry mouth, blurry vision, slow healing of cuts or sores.
Pointers that might indicate LADA include the symptoms having come on over a period of several weeks or longer, you have someone with type 1 diabetes in your close family, you have another autoimmune condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Coeliac disease.
If one or more of these apply then you may be given a GAD test to help determine what diabetes type you may have. GAD means a glutamic acid decarboxylase test.
LADA is a type of diabetes that is not completely understood and not all doctors may be fully aware of LADA as separate form of diabetes.
It is not uncommon for LADA to be misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes in some cases.
There is some debate as to how LADA should be treated. Some people may be put onto tablets such as metformin whereas others may go onto insulin.
Insulin may increase the likelihood of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, happening but could help to slow down the loss of insulin producing cells. As with other types of diabetes, eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting activity into each day comes recommended.
Reducing your carbohydrate intake in favour of less starchy vegetables should help to regulate blood sugar levels.
LADA can be misdiagnosed
As noted, because of the age at which it can develop and the slower onset of the condition, LADA can often be mistakenly misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
It is beneficial if LADA is diagnosed correctly as if LADA is incorrectly diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, it could lead inappropriate treatment methods that could lead to poorer diabetes control and could accelerate the loss of insulin producing ability.
There are some clues that can give rise to a clinical suspicion of LADA rather than type 2 diabetes. These include:
- An absence of metabolic syndrome features such as obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Uncontrolled hyperglycemia despite using oral agents
- Evidence of other autoimmune diseases (including Graves' disease and Anaemia)
Note that some people with LADA can exhibit features of metabolic syndrome such as being overweight or obese which may complicate or delay a diagnosis of LADA.
How is LADA treated?
Because LADA develops slowly, someone with LADA may be able to produce enough of their own insulin to keep sugar levels under control without needing insulin for a number of months or sometimes even years after the initial diagnosis of diabetes.
Insulin will almost certainly be required at some point in the future.
In some cases, insulin therapy may be postponed. However, there is evidence to suggest that starting insulin treatment soon after a diagnosis of LADA will help to better preserve the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin.
Regular blood glucose testing is advised for people with LADA at a similar number of tests per day that are advised for people with type 1 diabetes.
This means that it is advisable to test your blood sugar levels before each meal and before bed. 
What complications are related to LADA?
People with LADA should be aware of the signs of ketoacidosis and how to test for ketones if needed.
The risks of long term complications of diabetes will be similar to the risks in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The possible long term complications of diabetes include:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Retinopathy (retinal disease)
- Nephropathy (kidney disease)
- Neuropathy (nerve disease)
- Foot problems
What complications are related to LADA?
Cardiovascular disease risks are similar to those of type 2 diabetics, but if this complication develops hyperglycaemia is a stronger risk factor.
How is LADA managed?
The treatment of LADA needs to focus on controlling hyperglycaemia and preventing the onset of any complications.
Anything that can help to restore beta cell function should be considered.